March 19, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Richmond, VA – 287 clergy leaders from across Virginia signed a letter urging Governor Youngkin to sign HB 2153, a bill that would allow localities to make it easier for congregations (and other property tax-exempt nonprofits) to build affordable housing. The Governor has until March 24 to sign this important bill that achieved bipartisan support in the General Assembly.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has led the advocacy work for this bill, publishing a deeply-researched book, “Virginia Congregations Building Affordable Housing: A Match Made in Heaven.” The book’s author, Sheila Herlihy Hennessee said, “Virginia is in a housing crisis and faith communities have a surplus of land – they own 74,000 acres. Building affordable housing on faith-owned land is a creative and viable solution to Virginia’s affordable housing crisis.”

TEXT OF THE CLERGY LETTER TO GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN, March 17, 2025
Dear Governor Youngkin,

We are clergy and religious leaders from across Virginia. We respectfully urge you to sign HB 2153, allowing localities to make it easier for property tax-exempt nonprofits (including congregations) to build affordable housing. 

            There is a shortage of affordable homes in Virginia, both for rental and purchase. Virginia has a shortage of more than 200,000 homes, and more than 900,000 households are cost burdened by their housing. The high cost of housing affects families in every part of Virginia. At the same time, many faith communities want to help. Congregations own land in localities all over Virginia and are interested in supporting their local communities, and much of that land is under-utilized.
            This bill supports congregations, localities, and families looking for housing. This bill does three things. Most importantly, it explicitly grants localities permission to create an ordinance making it easier for affordable housing projects on land owned by congregations and other property-tax exempt nonprofits.
Additionally, the bill asks localities to consider property tax-exempt nonprofits in their comprehensive plans as partners in addressing the need for affordable housing. Finally, the bill provides suggestions from the Department of Housing and Community Development on strategies for both ordinances and comprehensive plan updates. Each of these components is incredibly helpful in expanding housing from the faith community.

Isaiah 32:18 claims, “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Faith communities want to create these peaceful habitations for our communities. HB 2153 would help us do it. Please support congregations in living our faith.

LIST OF CLERGY LEADERS – The following clergy are leaders of denominations in Virginia who signed onto this letter. For the full list, visit this link.

  • Bishop Phyllis Milton, Virginia Synod ELCA
  • Bishop E. Mark Stevenson, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
  • Rev. Dr. Lester Frye, President, Baptist Ministers Conf. of Richmond and Vicinity
  • Rev. Dr. Kevin Agee, Presiding Elder, Washington-Virginia District of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr. Melissa Long, General Presbyter, Presbytery of Eastern Virginia
  • Rev. Sarah Calvert, District Superintendent, Mountain View District United Methodist Church
  • Rabbi Gary Creditor, Temple Beth El, Richmond, VA
  • Dr. Charles Turner, President, Virginia Muslim Civic League

RESEARCH LINKS
Research on affordable housing
Book PDF: “Virginia Congregations Building Affordable Housing: A Match Made in Heaven, by Sheila Herlihy Hennessee

CONTACTS

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